New funding supports workers and communities in Alberta

September 3, 2019 – Edmonton, Alberta – Western Economic Diversification Canada

Vulture capitalists are sucking value from a dying industry. 

Wyoming is facing a potential crisis. Coal mines have shut down, hundreds of people are out of work, unemployment offices are overwhelmed, and there appears to be worse to come.

By David Roberts@drvoxdavid@vox.com  Jul 9, 2019, 8:30am EDT

Chile announced Tuesday it would close eight coal-fired power stations over the next five years as part of a plan to switch entirely to renewable energy by 2040.

The closures, announced by Chile's conservative President Sebastian Pinera, account for 20 percent of the country's energy capacity, or 23,000 megawatts.

The New Zealand Government has established a Just Transitions Unit to help share and coordinate the work of transitioning New Zealand to a low emissions economy. Read more

The coal companies told us they're going to be there forever - but we all know the end of coal is coming. We have to get in front of it!

As domestic and international demand for coal drops, Wyoming coal companies are cutting employee benefits or laying off workers. In 2015, Wyoming experienced the highest U.S. unemployment spike. In the following year, approximately 500 coal miners were laid off in one day. With many coal communities facing financial collapse, Wyoming industries, governments, and workers are searching at home and abroad for models for diversifying their local economy.

In coal-dependent communities in Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, where almost half of all coal mines were “suspended or partially suspended,” the energy transition has been particularly difficult for older workers. Facing layoffs, these workers seek the same solution as miners in Wyoming: a just transition.  Read more

The Just Transition Task Force for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities looks at how to make it a just transition.

See what they’ve learnt: http://ow.ly/6d4B30o0Tn2

It could be suggested that a grassroots plan for a post-coal future was heard in the corridors of State Government. The announcement of a $40 million 'Hi-Tech' precinct in Morwell to diversify the region's economy into new industries is similar to a plan devised by advocacy group, Voices of the Valley. 

Read more

No worker will be left behind as Collie transitions from coal-mining, says Federal Labor’s most senior member.

Shadow resources minister Madeleine King said coal still had a future in WA and Australia’s energy mix, just not in the regional mining hub in the South West as it faces uncertainty with the coal-fired Muja Power Station potentially shutting down in six years’ time.

In Hazard, Kentucky, a diversified economy is emerging.